CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Sidi Ould Sbai and Jedna Ould Deida, Mauritania, February 1999
THEME = AIDS
In a society where sexual matters are kept secret,
it is of vital importance to make the population aware of the situation
The first medically recognized case of AIDS was officially registered in 1996. In a society where all that pertains to sex is considered "taboo", this disease was seen as something "shameful" because it was considered to be connected with loose morals.
It should be made clear that in Mauritanian society, the taboo on talking about sexual matters, is not the Koran's teaching, neither is it the Prophet's. (Both major sources for the Muslim religion). While recognising that today's society does emphasize sexual relationships to be the preserve of those who are married, the silence of today's society on sexual matters, is far from being religious teaching.
The Mauritanian government found itself faced with a problem, so, together with such United Nations bodies as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the government decided to act.
A preliminary measure was to ensure that blood used in transfusions was not contaminated. At one time it was reckoned that just 3% of blood used in transfusions was infected, but this percentage was on the increase. By 1995. the number of HIV/AIDS- positive people had risen to 5% of the population. By 1996 the percentage was given as 9%. In December 1996, 532 people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus (a quarter of them being women) were officially registered. 40% of men infected were either unmarried or divorced.
Towards the end of 1997, the situation became much worse. According to the statistics of the National AIDS Control Programme for the Fight Against AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (NACP/STD), the number of people registered as HIV/AIDS-positive had reached 7,000.
Faced with this disease for which there is no known cure as yet, the government launched awareness campaigns to block its upsurge and spread. This mission was entrusted to the NACP, working in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The programme was made possible through the financial support of the European Union. Since its establishment, with the help of such groups and individuals as the Imams of mosques, NGO's and the Media, the NACP has managed to overcome some of the taboos connected with sexuality. Today, people accept more easily to talk about questions related to "sexual prohibitions".
However, a recent survey conducted in Nouakchott by an independent newspaper, shows that people are still not yet fully aware of AIDS and its implications. 350 people were interviewed in an attempt to evaluate their awareness of the disease's symptoms and how it is passed on. The results showed that on the whole these people know very little about HIV/AIDS.
The NACP is now well launched, and thanks to the setting up of local committees throughout the country, it has been possible to determine the spread of HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, in July 1996, the programme was blocked - politically. Following the removal of the NACP's coordinator who had established the project, the European Union refused to continue to finance the project. This was until October 1998. Being without funds during this time, the programme remained at a standstill. It was then that a few local organisations, themselves with few resources, stepped in to carry on the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Recently, National AIDS Awareness Days have been organised, consisting in informal chat sessions attended by elements of the adult population. The practical involvement of NGO's and the Imams of mosques, ensures the Days are a success. These awareness campaigns deal with the use of condoms, marital fidelity, as well as the danger of premature marriages, polygamy and multiple remarriages among frivolous men.
However, even if these aspects can be controlled, there's always the economic factor. This is responsible for the existence of poverty among the population, leading to prostitution and a spirit of fatalism among the poorest. In Mauritanian society, prostitution remains secret and is closely related to the miserable conditions in which the people live. To fight against the scourge of AIDS, prostitution needs to be eradicated by improving the living conditions of whole segments of society. But in a country where the programme to fight against HIV/AIDS depends on the determination of donor organisations, this fight, contrary to other under-developed countries, cannot be pursued unless there is an active solidarity from the international community.
Since it re-started its activities (just about two months ago) Mauritania's NACP has launched itself into a new strategy on national education, on the safety of blood transfusions, keeping a close watch on the spread of AIDS, and ensuring the establishment of regional committees. With the help and support of the United Nations Action Against Aids (UNAIDS)-Mauritania, information regarding this new strategy (which includes looking after actual HIV/AIDS cases), has been communicated to the donor organisations. Much will depend on their support.
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ENGLISH CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
PeaceLink 1999 - Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgement